From LaBelle, Florida for Hendry and Glades County and the Lake Okeechobee region. Don Browne, editor.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Law Enforcement Operates Pedestrian-Bicycle Safety Operation

FORT MYERS, FL. - On March 26, 2014, the Florida Highway Patrol, along with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office started Operation P.E.D.S. (Pedestrian Education and Developing Safety details) on U.S. 41 in the vicinity of Crystal Drive and on State Road 80 in the vicinity of Ortiz Avenue.

The detail commenced at 1:00 pm and concluded at 5:00 pm. Troopers looked for pedestrian, bicycle and motorist violations that occur at or near intersections. During the 2013 calendar year, 491 pedestrians and bicyclist were involved in crashes within Lee County.

Of those, 355 individuals were injured and twenty five lost their lives. The purpose of this detail was to decrease the amount of injuries and deaths through a series of highly concentrated education and enforcement details in areas prone to pedestrian and bicyclist involved crashes. The results of the detail were as follows:

· 10 warnings were issued for numerous violations to include: vehicle parking on a sidewalk, vehicle obstructing crosswalk, vehicles failing to stop at the stop bar at a stop sign intersection, bicyclist under 16 year old riding without a safety helmet, pedestrian violation of right of way mid-block)

· Traffic safety information was discussed and provided to 131 pedestrians and bicyclist (bicycle lights and helmet vouchers were given to those in need as well)

The Florida Highway patrol says it will continue to focus on pedestrian and vulnerable road user education and enforcement efforts in areas prone to injury and fatal crashes.